From a number of the General
officers in the United States Army, I have been favored with sketches of their
campaigns; not for publication, but merely to complete a private history of the
late war.

Would it be too great an
encroachment on your valuable time, to request a similar favor on your part.I am well aware that there are momentous duties devolving upon you, which
fully occupy your time, and for that reason, it is with great hesitation I make
the request.Hoping that you will
excuse the liberty however, and with the assurance that it is intended for a
strictly private purpose, I am